Plans to convert an office building in Belsize Park into a residential flat have met with objections from local residents, who raised concerns about the impact on the character of the conservation area and neighbouring amenity. The Camden Council Planning Committee discussed the application (2024/2988/P) for 27 Elizabeth Mews at its meeting on 3 July 2025 and the recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission subject to a Section 106 agreement.

The proposal includes the excavation of a new basement extension for office space, the erection of a mansard roof extension with a front-facing terrace, and the change of use of the first floor from office to a self-contained flat. The site is located within the Belsize Conservation Area.

Ms Georgina Arando, representing neighbours of the South Terrace of Elizabeth Mews, submitted a deputation objecting to the application. Her statement, included in the supplementary agenda, raised concerns about errors in the application, incomplete submissions, conservation area design policy, residential amenity, and building and overdevelopment risks.

Photograph of 27 Elizabeth Mews, the subject of a planning application discussed at the Camden Council Planning Committee meeting.
Photograph of 27 Elizabeth Mews, the subject of a planning application discussed at the Camden Council Planning Committee meeting.Source: Planning Committee papers, 3 July 2025

Key concerns raised by Ms Arando included:

  • Errors in the application: Misidentification of the location in relation to affected residents and objections.
  • Incomplete submissions: Lack of light angle surveys and immaterial justification for mansard roofs.
  • Conservation area design policy: Failure to identify 'positive contributors' as stated in Camden's Belsize Conservation Statement.
  • Residential amenity: Inaccuracy on the impact of residential amenity and the objections made.
  • Building and overdevelopment risks: Concerns based on the Members Briefing, Camden's Local Plan, historical examples, and the absence of a Construction Management Plan.

Ms. Arando's deputation statement raised concerns about errors in the application and incomplete submissions.

The Planning Committee was scheduled to discuss the application and consider the objections raised at the meeting on Thursday, 3 July 2025. The agenda and reports pack for the meeting are available online.